Jimmy Boyd in 
Betting the 2025 Kentucky Derby
The 151st running of the Kentucky Derby is coming up fast, and whether you’re in it for the action, the tradition, or just the chance to cash a ticket, this is the one horse race nobody wants to miss.
It’s a two-minute sprint that draws millions of dollars in bets every year, and even more eyeballs. From first-time bettors to seasoned handicappers, everyone’s got a pick.
If you’re planning to get in on the action this year, here’s a full guide on how to bet the Derby, what to watch for, and how to make the most of your wagers.
2025 Kentucky Derby Details
- Date: Saturday, May 3, 2025
- Post Time: 6:57 PM ET
- Where to Watch: NBC and Peacock
- Track: Churchill Downs (Louisville, KY)
- Surface: Dirt
- Distance: 1¼ miles
- Horses: 3-year-old thoroughbreds
Types of Bets You Can Make
Straight Bets (Beginner-Friendly)
- Win ($2): Your horse has to finish 1st
- Place ($2): Pays if your horse finishes 1st or 2nd
- Show ($2): Pays if your horse finishes 1st, 2nd, or 3rd
- Across the Board ($6): Combines Win, Place, and Show
- Win/Place ($4): A combo of Win and Place bets
- Place/Show ($4): A combo of Place and Show bets
Exotic Bets (Bigger Payouts, More Risk)
- Exacta ($2): Pick the 1st and 2nd place horses in exact order
- Exacta Box ($4): Two horses to finish 1st or 2nd in any order
- Quinella ($2): Same as an Exacta Box, but usually a lower payout
- Trifecta ($2): Pick 1st, 2nd, and 3rd in order
- Trifecta Box ($6 for 3 horses): Any order combo of three
- Superfecta ($1 minimum): Pick the top 4 in exact order
- Superfecta Box ($24 for 4 horses): All order combinations covered
Boxing a bet means you’re covering all possible finish orders for the horses you pick. It costs more, but gives you better chances.
Understanding the Odds
The Derby doesn’t use fixed odds like you might be familiar with from sportsbooks. It uses pari-mutuel betting, where payouts are based on how much money is in the pool for each horse. The more popular a horse is, the lower the payout.
Odds change right up until the race starts. What you see in the morning might not be what you get at post time. Official morning line odds come out the Wednesday before the Derby, but real odds will keep shifting with the bets.
Where to Place Your Bets
You don’t need to be at Churchill Downs to place a bet.
Online Options
- TwinSpires (official betting partner)
- TVG / FanDuel Racing
- Other licensed racing apps or sportsbooks
In-Person
- Local racetracks
- Off-track betting locations
- Some casinos
If You’re Betting at a Window, Have This Ready:
- Name of the track: Churchill Downs
- Race number
- Amount you want to bet
- Type of bet
- Horse number(s), not names
Always check your ticket before you walk away. Keep it somewhere safe because you’ll need it to claim your winnings.
Beginner Tips
- Be Ready Early: Write your bets down before heading to the window.
- Don’t Chase Media Picks: Hype doesn’t win races. Dig into the real data.
- Stick to a Plan: Don’t bet every combo just to say you did. Spread your money wisely.
- Do Some Research: Look at past performances, style, distance, and trainers.
- Favorites Are Worth Watching: They don’t always win—but they win often enough to matter.
What to Consider Before Picking a Horse
- Past Performances: How a horse ran in key prep races tells you a lot.
- Jockeys: Big races call for experienced riders. Some jockeys consistently perform on Derby day.
- Trainers: Look at names like Todd Pletcher, Brad Cox, and Steve Asmussen. Track record matters.
- Running Style: Some horses close late, others push the pace early. Know the difference.
- Track Surface: The Derby is on dirt. If your horse hasn’t won on dirt, that’s a red flag.
- Distance: 1¼ miles is long for 3-year-olds. Some handle it better than others.
- Post Position: Horses drawn near the rail (posts 1-3) often get crowded. Wide posts aren’t ideal either.
Projected 2025 Kentucky Derby Odds & Post Positions
These will update closer to race time, but here’s a rough look at who’s expected to be near the top of the board.
1. Citizen Bull (20-1)
2. Neoequos (30-1)
3. Final Gambit (30-1)
4. American Promise (30-1)
5. Admire Daytona (30-1)
6. Luxor Cafe (15-1)
7. Journalism (3-1)
8. Burnham Square (12-1)
9. Grande (20-1)
10. Flying Mohawk (30-1)
11. East Avenue (20-1)
12. Publisher (20-1)
13. Tiztastic (20-1)
14. Render Judgement (30-1)
15. Coal Battle (30-1)
16. Sandman (6-1)
17. Sovereignty (5-1)
18. Chunk of Gold (30-1)
19. Owen Almighty (30-1)
20. Baeaza (50-1)
